Suite Metuchen

A Locally-Owned Event Space

BY RYAN GALLAGHER

What’s more, Suite Metuchen is a fully-equipped venue that offers guests more than just the space itself. Suite Metuchen is equipped with WiFi, a sound system, projector, a kitchenette (with an ice machine), the male/female bathrooms, chairs, tables, table linens, and access to the Moore’s network of event planners, photographers, caterers, and entertainers. Plus, every customer is able to use the amenities they need - rather than paying a la carte.

The Moore’s have opened their 100-person event venue to anyone and everyone seeking out a good-looking and fairly-priced space for events of all types. After running interested in what our male/female bathrooms looked like. He complimented the particular type of faucets we have, the decor, and the cleanliness,” said Derek Moore, who received a booking on-the-spot that day.

The Moore’s explained that their space is meant to be easily accessible and come equipped to have a great party. They believe that with their space, guests can save money please see SUITE, page 9 by making their own playlist for an event, rather than hiring a DJ. In this same sense, guests take advantage and save when using the venue’s furniture instead of renting from a third-party.

At the same time, the Moore’s have a growing network of thirdparty vendors who cater to folks planning parties. So, when renting furniture or outsourcing entertainment is a necessity, guests know they can turn to these business owners for a recommendation.

Events of Metuchen Past, Present, and Future

Since opening, Suite Metuchen has become known for all sorts of events. This venue has already facilitated folks gathering for film screenings, multi-vendor markets, birthday parties, brunches, fashion shows, World Cup viewing parties, holiday parties, and more.

“In many cases, our guests are local ladies who have a general idea for an event,” said Derek Moore, who went on to explain that their venue has sparked new ideas and helped unique events take shape. After the 2022 holiday season came to a close, one special party stuck out to the Moore’s.

In June 2022, the MDA, the Metuchen Human Relations Commission, and the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) MetuchenEdison Area Branch held a screening of the documentary film “White Man Walks into a Barbershop” with a discussion with the filmmaker, Kyle Schickner, afterwards.

Suite Metuchen also held a Juneteenth Day pop up shop in June 2022. The Black Maker’s Bazaar highlighted Blackowned businesses in the state.

Until 2005, the Moore’s lived in Norfolk, Va. After moving to New Jersey and calling the tight-knit community of please see SUITE, page 15

“We hosted a meet and greet with Ken Waddell, who wrote the screenplay for ‘An Elf’s Story: Elf on the Shelf,’” recalled Derek Moore. “It was a free community event where we screened the film for the kids, and we received help from [the MDA].”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUITE METUCHEN Couple opens Suite Metuchen, which has become the go-to zone for client-specific micro-events, as well as events aimed to get Metuchen community members together.

BY DEBRA WALLACE